Baltimore here I come…
One would think that the day I start with the Chemo would be my roughest day, but twice now, the day AFTER I start my weekly chemo has been the rougher of the two days. I spent much of yesterday feeling queasy and not really up to par. My anti-nausea medication (Compazine) is prescribed for up to 4 pills a day and yesterday I took all 4. Today, however, I feel fine (though, I have been somewhat cautious with what I have eaten).
What’s interesting is that in the beginning, I was counting the number of radiation sessions I had and how many I had left. Now I am just counting the number left (which, for those of you keeping score at home) is FIVE!!! That’s right, I have a session tomorrow and then FOUR next week and I am DONE, baby! Woo Hoo! I am particularly excited that tomorrow I also get my chemo pump taken off (the clinic is not open on Friday so instead of drawing it out until Saturday, we decided to speed it up and disconnect me tomorrow! You know what that means?!?! Essentially FOUR WHOLE DAYS of chemo/radiation free happiness! 
So you may be asking yourselves, “Merle? What happens next?” Well, I’m glad you asked. For two weeks after my radiation therapy ends, I have some down time (I think — I’ll come back to that in a moment). I have a “re-staging” CT scan scheduled for July 24. A re-staging scan is simply a CT scan in which the docs will look at what has happened to my tumor. Hopefully, the tumor will have shrunk and all is well in the world. If not…well, we’ll jump off that bridge when we get to it!
I have an appointment scheduled for July 28th with Dr. Sarmiento, my surgeon here in Atlanta. We will talk about his perceptions of my candidacy for surgery. I will fly up to Baltimore on July 29th and meet with Dr. Cameron at Johns Hopkins on July 30th to get a surgical 2nd opinion. Then I will decide (in consultation with both surgeons) where would be best for me to have my surgery (notice the positive thinking).
Now, I said “I think” I’ll have some down time. My sister reminded me that about 8 weeks ago, I had a stent put in to keep my bile duct open. Well, guess what: the stents only have an 8-10 week life span. I think I was hoping I would be a candidate for surgery before the stent time limit was reached, but realistically, the 10 week limit is right around the time I meet with Dr. Sarmiento. So, when I talk with Dr. Kauh (my oncologist) on Monday, I will ask about whether I need to schedule a 6th ERCP procedure to replace the stent. Woo Hoo! I know, don’t you just wish you could have this many procedures?!?!?
Stay tuned!
Merle